Community Forums

Vette4ba · 06-01-2013, 03:49 PM

Is there any danger traveling with full fresh water tanks? I heard that it can void a warranty on new vehicles if they travel for "long distances" with full tanks because it is over the rear axle. What about older RV's (I have a 2007 Dutchman)? Are there places along the New York thruway to stop and fill your tanks?

Ray,IN · 06-01-2013, 04:14 PM

I assume you have a motorhome, that's the title of this forum. The curb weight of your RV should include full fresh water tank, full propane tank(s), full fuel tank. Only then will you know how much added weight is available for personal stuff.
As to voiding the warranty, never heard of that.

Bigd9 · 06-01-2013, 04:20 PM

With Ray

BFlinn181 · 06-01-2013, 04:27 PM

A gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds. If I'm headed for a place I know has water, I only fill the tank about half. While I'd still be well within my GCWR, I figure why haul weight I don't need to?

vsheetz · 06-01-2013, 05:21 PM

I notice appreciably better handling with half or more tank of water. Additionally we use the MH as a life boat in case of emergency (SoCal fires) so we keep ample water, fuel, etc. on board.

Cat320 · 06-01-2013, 06:42 PM

At 8.3 lbs/gallon, why haul around all that weight?

HDrider · 06-01-2013, 08:37 PM

When we had our MH weighed we figured we was enough under weight that we could travel with a full take if needed. But normally we travel with about 20 to 20 gal. unless we are headed to a boondocking spot.

Tony Lee · 06-01-2013, 08:47 PM

Boy Scout motto is the one to follow. Never pass up an opportunity to keep fuel tanks above half full, water tanks full and waste tanks empty - and always have at least a can of two of beans in the pantry.
That applies to inveterate boondockers like us, but of course can be safely ignored by those who travel from one set of full hookups to another while continually monitoring the radio to make sure the weather stays fine.

TXiceman · 06-01-2013, 08:54 PM

Generally we travel with waste tanks empty and about 1/4 tank of fresh water aat the most. If we are headed to where we need on-board water, I wait and fill the tanks close to my destination. Why haul the extra weight?

Ken

Dr4Film · 06-01-2013, 09:29 PM

I will always carry a full tank of fresh water. Usually our trips take weeks to get from point A to B. However, I do know that there are hundreds of places to take on fresh water along the way but you just never know when things can go wrong and you may have to honker down for a few days AND I don't want to be without water. When we are traveling with no hookups, we go into our conservative mode with water, I out the toilet on low consumption (about 1 cup each flush) and Navy Showers. Our 80 gallon tank can last 5-7 days if needed.

The extra weight has little to no affect on my MPG. If any maybe .01

Dr4Film ----- Richard

C&SL · 06-01-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

I will always carry a full tank of fresh water. Usually our trips take weeks to get from point A to B. However, I do know that there are hundreds of places to take on fresh water along the way but you just never know when things can go wrong and you may have to honker down for a few days AND I don't want to be without water. When we are traveling with no hookups, we go into our conservative mode with water, I out the toilet on low consumption (about 1 cup each flush) and Navy Showers. Our 80 gallon tank can last 5-7 days if needed.

The extra weight has little to no affect on my MPG. If any maybe .01

Dr4Film ----- Richard

I'm with you, full always. We never (sometimes do not) know what we are going to do next

Dutch Star Don · 06-01-2013, 10:53 PM

We drink the water in our tank and we know that it's chlorinated city water which will not grow algae or have issues. It's also water were use to drinking. When you top your tank off at odd places, you could be getting well water or some other water that has not been treated. It may require you to dump and flush it out at home or it may grow things. Have you ever tasted AZ water....yuck! Some will say that they only use bottled water for cooking and drinking and that's great, but we don't go to hat extent.

On a gasser, with a large tank 75-100 gallons, I might be inclined to carry about half a tank, but on a DP, it's really not going to make any difference and won't affect your mileage. On my coach, it rides smoother with full tanks.

C&SL · 06-02-2013, 08:48 AM

We drink our water from the tank too, The water is filtered and soften as it goes in the tank. We are going to put a RO system it but have not figured out the best system yet. Yes not all water is the best but when you are on the road all the time you work around that problem. A tank of water will not be the coach more the 14 days at a time and we monitor the water as close as we can for problems, so far so good.

njs42 · 06-02-2013, 10:07 AM

Much depends on how you camp and travel. We are light duty and stay at developed RV (resorts) four and five star each night and for longer stays. We just load enough water for the in between trip and some extra for an emergency stopping if we break down etc;

But boondockers and others find carrying water to a distinct advantage. The only other consideration is weight. IF you want to carry it and is does not push you over your weight limitations then I can't imagine a violation of any warranty.

So decide your real needs depending on your style.